August 31, 2022

The cost of attending college is not just about the tuition.

There are other costs, which can dramatically impact the affordability of education - including the cost of books and other course materials.

Students at South Dakota public universities are able to save on educational costs this year by participating in a new program, which offers low cost access to course materials.

The South Dakota Board of Regents Institutions this year implemented First Day Access to enhance university affordability for students.

The benefits of First Day Access include discounted prices for course materials and the guarantee of accurate content for the start of class. Rather than purchase a textbook or an external digital item, First Day Access allows students to access digital course materials at a lower cost.

According to the Board of Regents, based on an example workload, First Day Access can provide savings of approximately 30% on external digital materials and 60% on traditional print textbooks. Many public university faculty have adopted new materials based on availability and cost savings for their students.